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Soccer - Former Brazil defender Carlos denies doping allegations

Former Brazilian soccer player Roberto Carlos holds a paper with the name of AS Monaco FC during the draw ceremony for the 2016/2017 Champions League Cup soccer competition at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/Files

By Andrew Downie

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Former Brazil defender Roberto Carlos hit out at allegations he took illegal stimulants as "lies" on Saturday and vowed judicial action against the German TV network that made them.

A documentary aired by the ARD network said the legendary full back was named in a dossier given by Brazil's anti-doping agency to the public prosecutor's office in Sao Paulo in 2015.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the allegations in the documentary.

The former Real Madrid player called the allegations "extremely vague" and said his lawyers were taking action to refute them.

"I vehemently repudiate the irresponsible accusations made by the German network ARD and reaffirm that I never used any artifice that gave me an advantage over my colleagues,” he said in a statement sent to Reuters.

"All my career I have fought for fairness and above all loyalty," the former Palmeiras, Corinthians and Fenerbahce left-back said.

"The lying accusations against me are completely against the way I think. In a career spanning more than 20 years I never tested positive for any substance that would modify my performance."

The Brazilian Football Confederation did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the issue.

The defender, who is currently a director at Real Madrid, won La Liga four times and the Champions League on three occasions with the Spanish club, as well as lifting titles in Brazil and Turkey.

(Editing by Ian Ransom)

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